Laura Bates: The Bard Is Still Saving Lives

Published in the March/April 2015 issue of Books Make a Difference magazine.

Reading Shakespeare in prisons is not new, but doing so in solitary confinement, with those considered to be the most dangerous and hardened inmates, was unheard of—until Laura Bates gave it a try. Laura’s book Shakespeare Saved My Life shares the success of her Supermax program and the transformation of convicted killer Larry Newton. Though he’ll spend his life in prison with no chance of parole, Larry says he’s free. Laura’s book has prompted other prisons to set up similar programs. […]